Sacred Heart still can’t shake Magnolia in Division III final

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The Magnolia girls’ basketball team is hanging in there against the top-ranked team in the nation during the first half of the Division III state final, trailing San Francisco Sacred Heart, 21-18, at Arco Arena in Sacramento.

After the Sentinels scored two straight baskets at the start of the second quarter to take a 15-13 lead, Sacred Heart answered with an 8-0 run. Magnolia received some encouragement just before halftime, however, as Brittany Pennell hit a long three-pointer to cut the deficit to three heading into the locker room.

The standout players have laid low in the first half for both teams. Jhakia McDonald, an Arizona-bound guard for Magnolia, has only two points. She’s averaging 12.8.

Tierra Rogers, the talented junior guard for the Fightin’ Irish, has three points. Jazmine Jackson, a Pepperdine-bound guard/forward for Sacred Heart, has four points.

Brianna Colon, a senior guard for Magnolia, has picked up the slack, scoring a team-high eight points in the first half, nearly equaling her scoring average.

Kamilah Jackson, a sophomore center for the Fightin’ Irish, has a team-high 10 points.

-- Dan Arritt

-- Image from www.oceansprings.org